Lakeland Bus raising fares for commuters to N.Y.

DOVER -- Lakeland Bus Lines plans to raise its fare slightly more than 9 percent for service to New York City beginning June 2, said Gregory Mazzarisi, the company’s controller.

Fares for trips within the state of New Jersey will remain the same.

Lakeland’s announcement comes on the heels of a large fare increase at NJ Transit, which raised its prices 25 percent on May 1.

Mazzarisi denied any connection between the two increases.

The fare hike is in response to rising labor costs at the 58-year-old, Dover-based, private bus company, according to Mazzarisi.

“We’ve held off for two years and it was necessary at this time to implement the increase,” Mazzarisi said.

A round-trip ticket from the Rockaway Mall to New York City currently costs $19.20 and a round trip from Basking Ridge to New York costs $20.60.

Fliers are being placed on buses announcing the change, and the new prices should be reflected on the company’s website by the end of next week.

Lakeland transports about 4,500 riders into New York, on an average weekday, Mazzarisi said.

It uses Route 78 for Somerset passengers and Routes 46 and 80 for Morris County riders.

Veronica Silkes, who commutes every morning to Manhattan from Mount Arlington, said the fare increase might alter her riding habits.

“Like all residents from New Jersey, we continue to be get hit with increases from all areas,” Silkes said in an e-mail. “My salary has remained status quo for three years. I will probably car pool with my husband, and get into work significantly earlier than I need, in order to save some money.”